COST: $879.99.

TESTED BY: Jimmy Emanuel, Golf Australia Deputy Editor.

MODELS PLAYED: Callaway Epic Speed with 9˚ loft, fitted with Mitsubishi Chemical MMT 70 shaft and Callaway Epic MAX with 9˚ loft, with Project X HZRDUS Smoke iM10 70 shaft.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Having anticipated it might be hard to split these two, I was instantly taken with cosmetic differences out of the box. The Epic Speed looking like my sort of the driver, while the MAX looked flatter, wider and more forgiving at address.

Upon first swings I was similarly able to discern slight differences in flight and feel that made it clear the Speed was likely more my sort of club, but both were impressive to say the least.

HOW THEY PERFORMED: Testing equipment is always exciting, but these drivers had me extremely keen to get to the range and course for a number of reasons.

Firstly, the original Epic driver was an absolute favourite. Secondly, I recently sat down with Dr. Alan Hocknell, one of Callaway’s top R&D people to talk about the range. And finally, the proceeding MAVRIK Sub Zero has maintained a spot in my bag for the past year.

The Epic Speed immediately identified itself as my kind of driver, although when compared to my MAVRIK Sub Zero on just feel, flight and looks it wasn’t as if I was throwing old faithful away instantly.

At address my “older” driver and the Speed were remarkably similar. Both are about as traditional as modern drivers can look, while I appreciated the slightly toned down graphics on the crown of the Epic Speed. The Speed is slightly less rounded, part of its more aerodynamic design to my mind, but not hugely different.

Off the face the feel was almost the same, the Epic Speed a nice muted, powerful sound that maybe felt fractionally hotter off the face.

In these areas, I was also impressed by the Epic MAX, which has a bigger footprint at address and is a little louder.

When it came to more detailed performance testing both drivers proved their worth.

The Speed managed to get past my driver, albeit not by a massive margin, but any distance gain is a bonus, particularly given there was no loss of forgiveness. In fact, if anything my mis-hits were penalised less with the Epic Speed.

Not far behind in the distance stakes, the Epic MAX was a forgiveness machine. The flight was a little higher, and turned over more easily, and I felt I could swing with freedom without fear of a really big miss.

The adjustability of the MAX model was also a positive. With a bit of draw bias in its most neutral setting for me, moving the weight to the heel really got the ball moving left. Whereas shifting the weight towards the toe didn’t create a fade but a straight flight.

Both these new models really impressed me. The MAX was so easy to hit, and looking down it gave a real confidence boost. The flight was great and I can see it suiting so many golfers, and is closest to the original Epic of the two.

The Speed seriously captured me and might be a chance at removing the MAVRIK from its position.

I noticed a gain in distance with a very straight flight that didn’t want to go left (my dreaded miss) at all.

The Epic Speed looks certainly fall into the more classic shape and it blends the best qualities of the two MAVRIK drivers for mine. The MAX takes the forgiving standard MAVRIK model to another level, but is also a great option for better players. 

FACTS & FIGURES

SUITABILITY: Across the three Epic models (including the lower spin, high MOI MAX LS) which can be adjusted from 8˚ to 14˚ and are offered in a range of shafts options, there is a driver to suit every golfer.

AVAILABILITY: Both tested models are offered in 9˚, 10.5˚ and 12˚ lofts in both right and left hand.

CALLAWAY SAYS: Exceptional ball speeds start with new A.I.-designed ‘Jailbreak Speed Frame’. Previous Jailbreak designs stiffened the body in the vertical direction. By applying Artificial Intelligence, this new structure improves stability in the horizontal and torsional direction as well.

The A.I.-designed ‘Flash Face’ is specifically engineered to optimise the Jailbreak Speed Frame, promoting fast speeds across a more expansive area. Each face and each head geometry are uniquely enhanced in Epic Speed, and the super strength titanium promotes maximum speed, forgiveness and spin robustness.

Epic Speed is the fastest Epic driver ever. The advanced aerodynamic head construction promotes lower drag for higher head speed. The taller ribbon and flatter crown are engineered for a precise and more aerodynamic shape that can help golfers generate more speed from their swing.

Epic MAX is the most forgiving Epic ever. It’s built on a simple equation: max ball speed (with the new Jailbreak A.I Speed Frame) + maximum forgiveness (with high MOI and adjustable weighting) = the ultimate max driver.

For more information, visit www.callawaygolf.com.au